The Barnes & Noble Cafe at the Tanforan location consistently delivers good service. The baristas…read moreare friendly, polite, and welcoming every time we visit. They make the experience pleasant and enjoyable, and it truly sets this location apart (whereas Hillsdale location don't seem to like repeat customers). P.S. There's also a young gentleman at the bookstore register who always goes above and beyond with customer service. He is consistently helpful, polite, and professional. His attitude really stands out and deserves recognition. So overall we truly appreciate the entire team for making each visit enjoyable.

It is the normal day to be here. The books are organized ,…read moretrying to see if ten dollars books are still out there. Overall, it's the good experiences.

This is the kind of bookstore I really respect. It's straightforward, packed with interesting…read morebooks, and run by someone who clearly cares about what they do. It has a comfortable, no-pressure vibe and offers a great mix of new and used titles. I ended up walking out with a big stack for my personal collection. The used section in the back is especially worth checking out, with hardcovers priced at two dollars and paperbacks at just one dollar. The owner is a solid guy. Very helpful and happy to special order anything you might be looking for. That kind of service is hard to come by these days and really makes a difference. Parking is on the street, but I had no problem finding a spot. The store's in a walkable area surrounded by local cafes, antique shops, and restaurants. You're also just a short stroll from the coastline and the pier, which makes this an even better stop if you're looking to spend a laid-back day in town. I really enjoy places like this. It's the kind of bookstore that feels real and personal, and I will definitely be coming back whenever I'm in the area.

Wonderful shop for new & used books! My favorite place to buy journals. The kind person behind the…read morecounter is really helpful and patient. I love this store!

Cute little bookshop in the West Portal with a good selection of new & popular books. The staff was…read morehelpful when I asked about a book I was looking for. It was not in stock but they offered to order it for me (not local so declined this offer). Fun selection of greeting cards, small selection of tote bags, stickers and other fun things (mugs, bookmarks, etc.) Prices seemed normal (so maybe a little higher than Amazon, etc.) for an independent book store but probably comparable to a large bookstore chain.

We were back again! I love ordering from them! It is indeed a cute book shop that I enjoy…read morerevisiting. They have books for all kinds of readers of all ages as they have recommended sections with featured titles, and they have lots of the classic ones for required reading or summer reading lists. Summer event: I found Waldo here! I like this initiative to support local businesses at West Portal too!

This is my favorite Barnes & Noble in the area. Not only is the cafe a lovely place to relax, but…read morethere is seating throughout the store. The upstairs seating is my personal favorite. The staff is always patient and helpful, as are the baristas in the cafe. In particular, there is a middle aged woman who is usually on the second floor and has wonderful customer experience skills. She always checks in on visitors and gives great recommendations or updates on new display organization. This location has something for everyone. I can almost always find what I am looking for and more when I visit. I get great deals as a member, it's definitely worth the investment if you read often.

Functional bathroom inside and probably the last toy store on the Peninsula. But textbook supply is…read morelimited, this is not a good place to get educational materials such as a calculus textbook. Despite B&N's large catalog, the in-store selection is still lacking compared to the larger public libraries around here.

They have a little bit of everything a book lover loves. I ended up with three nonfiction books…read morebecause their selection was great. From the outside it looks small. However once inside there is a second floor for seating. The value of the books are reasonable. There's several staff helping too.

Green Apple Books on the Park has a diverse collection of books -- mostly new -- but also offers an…read morearray of small crafts, posters, stationery, stickers, and prints from small and local businesses, which I really appreciate. They have a varied selection of books -- both fiction and nonfiction. I was particularly drawn to their small but impressive assortment of fashion books and books on Zen Buddhism, as well as their pretty massive science section, especially on the topics of physics and quantum physics. The space itself feels very spacious and open, with different ways to navigate through the store. The only thing I wish they had more of is used books -- there's plenty of new books, but it would be nice to find some discounted options if possible. I paid $65 for 2 brand new books which just somehow feels like a lot of money! The employees are friendly but won't initiate contact with you to offer suggestions or ask what you're looking for (unless you genuinely look lost, lol). Tbh, I prefer it this way! haha (I enjoy exploring the worlds of books in peace) But overall, I love what they offer. Definitely one of my favorite bookstores in the Bay Area right now.

On a sunny day in SF, this bookstore and cafe is a great space to explore! On the weekend, there…read morewas a short line; I only waited about five minutes before ordering. I tried thier hojicha latte, which had a strong, tasty flavor that came through very nicely. It wasn't as sweet as I personally preferred, but the depth of the hojicha still made it enjoyable. After finishing our drinks, my friends and I enjoyed exploring their book collection. There's also a small nook upstairs that mainly has childrens' books but also provides a great view of the downstairs area!

I gave Black Bird Bookstore and Cafe in the Sunset District a second chance and it's safe to say…read morethat their matcha did not disappoint this time! I got the Guava Matcha Latte (w/ oat milk) and it was so good!!! I love that the flavor was more on the subtle side, not overpowering guava puree / syrup! Definitely not suitable for wfh but absolutely perfect for chatting with friends or reading a book Oh and I absolutely LOVE that it's a coffee shop AND bookstore... my literal dream

A great selection of used and new books! I especially loved the various displays, including one…read morecalled "50 years of Green Apple" which had one book from each year they were open. I highly recommend!

Green Apple is our favorite local bookstore and one of our favorite bookstores in the world! They…read morehave a fantastic selection of new and used books, and a knowledgeable staff. We love Green Apple so much!

Smallest Barnes and Noble I've ever been, but they did a good job of making the most of the space…read more The layout is not straightforward, so it feels like there's a lot of shelves to wander. There's a small section of kids books in the back and they will sometimes have activities and storytelling. This is a good place to walk around and look for potential gifts. Staff is friendly and helpful. If you love shopping for books in real life and are typically looking for something more popular (or else it likely wouldn't be in stock) then this is the place for you.

I used to spend hours at the Barnes & Noble at Tanforan Mall, so it was such a joy to step into…read morethis cozy little location. Though it's on the smaller side, the store still has a great selection of books and an inviting, charming vibe. Beyond the books, there are also tons of cute gift items like notebooks, journals, cards, and tote bags that are hard to resist, and also a little section of board games! Everything was thoughtfully displayed and very fun to browse. I only popped in for a quick look, but ended up lingering longer than expected. The staff was kind and welcoming, and my book-loving heart felt right at home!

B Street Books remains an absolute gem. While I certainly miss having them right in downtown San…read moreMateo, their new Burlingame location is well worth the trip. They have a fantastic, curated selection where you can truly get lost in the stacks. I rarely leave without finding one or two obscure titles that feel like once-in-a-lifetime finds. What I appreciate most is the atmosphere: the owner and staff are incredibly knowledgeable if you have a question, but they truly respect the "browser's right" to wander in peace. No hard sell, no hovering--just a quiet, welcoming space to discover your next favorite book. It's the kind of local shop that makes a community better.

Good new location. Great prices, lots of books for everyone, and really helpful staff.read more